Context:

Researchers at Cambridge University Library have discovered a rare medieval manuscript containing stories about Merlin and King Arthur, hidden within the binding of another book. This 13th-century manuscript, part of the 'Suite Vulgate du Merlin', was originally written in Old French and was popular among aristocrats and royalty. Using advanced imaging techniques like CT scans, the team virtually unfolded the pages, revealing the manuscript's content and the archival practices of 16th-century England. The discovery was initially made by former Cambridge archivist Sian Collins, who noticed the text was in Old French, the language of the English aristocracy post-1066. This finding highlights the historical practice of repurposing manuscripts and sheds light on the evolution of the Arthurian legend, which has been continually adapted to suit changing audiences over time.

Dive Deeper:

• The manuscript discovered is a part of the 'Suite Vulgate du Merlin', a sequel to the legend of King Arthur, written in Old French by a medieval scribe. It is one of just over three dozen surviving copies and was popular among European aristocrats and royalty.

• The pages of the manuscript were used as a book cover, stitched into another book's binding, which provided insights into archival practices of 16th-century England. This discovery was significant as it demonstrated how old manuscripts were often repurposed when the original text became difficult to read.

• Imaging and CT scanning techniques allowed researchers to virtually unfold the manuscript, preserving the fragile pages while revealing their contents. This method also exposed book-binding techniques and hidden details within the manuscript.

• The text describes scenes from King Arthur's early reign, including battles against the Saxons and support from Merlin, who sometimes changes shape to assist Arthur. These stories were part of the larger narrative cycle known as the Lancelot-Grail, which was often performed by traveling poets.

• The manuscript was identified by Sian Collins in 2019 while recataloging estate records, where she recognized Old French and names like Gawain and Excalibur, indicating its connection to the Arthurian legends.

• The manuscript's origins were traced to northern France between 1275 and 1315, and it was later imported to England. Variations in the text, such as typos, highlight the fluidity of written language during that period.

• Researchers used multispectral imaging to enhance the readability of the text, revealing annotations and details obscured over time. This methodology provides a nondestructive way to analyze other fragile or repurposed manuscripts in the future.